Chapter 7

“There is often a moment in life where you feel like you have run out of options. You think and think, trying to pull something from nowhere, but still no possibilities jump out and smack you in the face. It is in those moments that I would like to think that the best in me comes out. I shine in all my calm glory and levelheadedness and others bask in my controlled state. If that ever happens, I’ll let you know… don’t hold your breath.” ~Lilly

Cypher, Lilly, and Cyn had been on the run from the draheim for nearly two days. They had taken cover in a cave after running through the freezing cold river to cover their scent. It had been nearly six hours since they had heard the beast fly over again, undoubtedly searching for its prey.

“You think we lost it,” Lilly asked, Cypher?

His jaw was tense and the crinkles around his eyes deepened as worry, anger, and resolve all fought for a spot on his face. He had finally built them a fire and they were beginning to get dry and warm. As the cold dissipated from Lilly and her teeth no longer chattered, her mind began to work again.

Cypher looked over at her and his face relaxed a tiny bit. She smiled at him. He opened his arms to her and she went without thought. They were alive, uneaten, and that warranted a moment to process what had happened and what better way to do that than in the arms of a big, handsome, warlock? He pulled her close against his chest and she felt his warmth seeping into her. She relaxed and found relief in the knowledge that he would protect her. She could let herself just be for a few moments, completely trusting that he wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

Finally, after several quiet moments spent rubbing her back and kissing her hair, he spoke.

“I have a responsibility to take care of the draheim. It can’t be allowed to stay in this realm. It’s too dangerous.”

Lilly nodded. “I kind of figured that much. What do we do next?”

Cypher smiled. “I like it when you say we.”

Lilly blushed and he ran a finger along her warm cheek. “I like it when I make you blush as well.” Lilly didn’t stop him when he leaned forward and kissed her. She didn’t think about how awkward Cyn must feel having her and Cypher make out like two teenagers. All she could think about was how good the kiss was, how soft his lips were, and when they parted, how incredible he tasted. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he pulled her closer. The kiss lasted longer than Cypher had intended, but then he could never get enough of Lilly. He could kiss her every day, all day, and it still, wouldn’t be enough. He would still crave her as he did now.

Lilly was breathless when they pulled apart and she knew that she was blushing furiously as the heat danced on her face. “You aren’t supposed to be wooing me Casanova; you’re supposed to be telling me the kick ass plan to take out the big, baddragon.”

“Sometimes a man just needs to kiss his woman, little one. And, right then there was nothing more that I needed than to feel your lips on mine.”

His words made her heart beat faster and she felt the truth behind them clear to her toes. Good grief Lilly, you’re a grown woman, not some love sick teenager, she told herself, but then added, that means I get to do grown woman things right? She smiled at the pun that she totally intended. Then she wanted to mentally slap herself for letting her mind even step a toe in that direction of thinking. Cypher must have noticed.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” He asked, with a wicked grin.

Lilly frowned. “Nothing you need to worry about. Now, what’s the plan?”

Cypher’s face changed in the blink of an eye from playful to utterly serious as if a light switched had been flicked inside his head. He knew the only way to kill the beast was with the arrow or sword forged by an elf. The problem? It had been a very, very, long time since he had seen an elf in the human realm.

“Before we were attacked, a second time I might add, you mentioned elves,” Lilly prompted, then looked over at Cyn for confirmation. Cyn nodded.

Cypher let out a resigned sigh, stood up, and set Lilly back down in his spot. He thought better if he was standing and able to move. His brain just seemed to clear when he could move about freely.

“The elves are a very secretive race. They hold all of their knowledge close to their hearts, and for good reason. They may not be as powerful as the Fae, but they come close. They are also able to produce many things with their magic that no other race can. One such thing is the magical properties in the metal of their weapons. An elf blade, or arrow, or weapon of any metal for that matter, can kill anything.”

Lilly’s eyes widened. “Anything?”

Cypher nodded. “And some of us are very hard to kill.”

“Which is why they hold their secrets close,” Lilly’s voice softened as she spoke her thoughts aloud. “If the wrong person, or supernatural, got their hands on the knowledge to make a weapon that could kill any and all of you, it could be disastrous.”

Cyn finally spoke for the first time since they had stopped running. “It is imperative that Mona never gain this knowledge.”

Lilly nodded and said in a wry tone. “That’s sort of a given.” She looked up at Cypher with raised eye brows.

“So how do we find the elves?”

“We don’t,” Cypher answered, ominously. “They find us.”

“Well, that may not be entirely true,” said Cyn. “I can find a veil to their land,” she offered.

Cypher turned to look at the Fae. “How?”